Antiparasitic activities of hydroethanolic extracts of Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb. (Convolvulaceae)

The Anti-Virulence Effect of Vismia guianensis against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata

In folk medicine, Vismia guianensis is used to treat skin diseases and mycoses in the Amazon region. We evaluated the anti-Candida activity of the hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Vismia guianensis (EHVG). HPLC-PDA and FIA-ESI-IT-MSⁿ were used to chemically characterize EHVG. The anti-Candida activity was determined in vitro by the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Candida glabrata (ATCC-2001); Candida albicans (ATCC-90028, ATCC-14053, and ATCC-SC5314), and C. albicans clinical isolates. EHVG effects on adhesion, growth, and biofilm formation were also determined. Molecular docking was used to predict targets for EHVG compounds. The main compounds identified included anthraquinone, vismione D, kaempferol, quercetin, and vitexin. EHVG was fungicidal against all tested strains. C. albicans ATCC 14053 and C. glabrata ATCC 2001 were the most sensitive strains, as the extract inhibited their virulence factors. In silico analysis indicated that vismione D presented the best antifungal activity, since it was the most effective in inhibiting CaCYP51, and may act as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, according to the online PASS prediction. Overall, the data demonstrate that EHVG has an anti-Candida effect by inhibiting virulence factors of the fungi. This activity may be related to its vismione D content, indicating this compound may represent a new perspective for treating diseases caused by Candida sp.

Impact of Seasonal and Organ-Related Fluctuations on the Anthelmintic Properties and Chemical Profile of Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl Extracts

The use of plants and their metabolites stands as a promising option to tackle parasitic infections by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in integrated control strategies. Still, the influence of environmental and phenological factors, and their interactions, in the wild on the metabolomics and biological properties of target plant species, is often disregarded. In this work, we hypothesized that variations in the anthelmintic (AH) properties and chemical composition of extracts from the salt tolerant species Cladium mariscus L. Pohl (sawgrass) may be influenced by seasonal factors and organ-parts. To test this hypothesis, acetone/water extracts were prepared from dried biomass obtained from aerial organs collected from sawgrass in consecutive seasons and tested against Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis by the larval exsheathment inhibition assay (LEIA) and egg hatching inhibition assay (EHIA). To ascertain the role of plant organ, the activity of leaves and inflorescences extracts from summer samples was compared. The role of polyphenols in the anthelmintic activity depending on GINs and fluctuations across seasons and plant organs was assessed using polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), coupled with an in-depth chemical profiling analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography completed with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-ESI-MSn). Main differences in anthelmintic activities were observed for summer and autumn samples, for both assays. Moreover, inflorescences' extracts were significantly more active than those from leaves against both parasite species on EHIA and against H. contortus on LEIA. Application of PVPP totally inhibit the AH effects based on EHIA and only partly for LEIA. Non-treated PVPP extracts were predominantly composed of flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, luteolin and glycosylated flavonoids, while two flavonoid glycosides were quantified in all PVPP-treated samples. Thus, the activity of such compounds should be further explored, although some unknown metabolites remain to be identified. This study reinforces the hypothesis of the AH potential of sawgrass and of its polyphenolic metabolites uses as nutraceutical and/or phytotherapeutic drugs.

A high-value-added application of the stems of Rheum palmatum L. as a healthy food: the nutritional value, chemical composition, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities

Rhubarb has edible stems or stalks. In this paper, we investigated the nutritional value, chemical composition, and bioactivities of Rheum palmatum stems (SRP) and analyzed the mode of action. SRP exhibited biosafety and had nutritional value, with abundant essential amino acids and minerals. Based on network pharmacology and western blot tests, we found that it showed anti-inflammatory activity via the PI3K-Akt-mediated NF-κB pathway. Out of 20 compounds identified using UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS analysis, cirsiliol and hydrangenol were active compounds and they inhibited NO production in RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS. The alleviation of an inflammatory response is combined with a decrease in oxidative stress, and SRP showed antioxidant activity via attenuating antioxidant enzymes, scavenging free radicals, improving the mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreasing the reactive oxygen species level. These results indicated that SRP, with abundant flavonoids and a good nutritional composition, could be used as a dietary supplement for food applications.